SMALL SCIENCE

THE NEFF ZONE -- BY JIM NEFF

CADILLAC NEWS -- JANUARY 25, 2025

Big science gets the most attention. A cure for a disease, for instance, is a sure fire headline. Small science flies under the radar. However, the small stuff can have significant impacts on our everyday lives. 

A good example is NASA. “Many people see space exploration as a waste of resources. On the other hand,  the space sector has crucial technological and economic importance. But the most effective argument might simply be to point to the plethora of everyday items that would not exist without space research.”

Most of us have some sort of wireless headphones. “Wireless headsets were first used in the Apollo and Mercury programs. These allowed astronauts to have their hands free and for their movement not be constrained by the headset cable. Today, wireless devices dominate the consumer headphone market.”

Have you ever driven past a solar farm? “The Apollo program gave a very strong push for solar cells.  Operations in space needed power, with devices that were miniaturized and took advantage of sunlight.” More  at: https://www.wired.com/gallery/nasa-spinoff-space-research-technology/. 

These innovations trace back to the NASA Technology Transfer Program. Every state has contributed something. NASA has an interactive map that shows this. Michigan has a couple dozen. See at: https://spinoff.nasa.gov/. 

Something scientific can result in an unexpected offshoot. It turns out sheep might play a part in the deployment of solar energy. “The booming solar industry has found an unlikely mascot in sheep as large-scale solar farms crop up across the country. How do they manage all that grass? With the help of sheep, which are better suited than lawnmowers to fit between small crevices and chew away rain or shine. The proliferation of sheep on solar farms is part of a broader trend — solar grazing — that has exploded alongside the solar industry.”

They call this Agrivoltaics. “Using land for both solar energy production and agriculture is on the rise with more than sixty solar grazing projects in the United States. The American Solar Grazing Association says twenty-seven states engage in the practice.” (https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/solar-farms-booming-us-putting-thousands-hungry-sheep-117844705)

Continuing with the animal kingdom, a new way to keep track of your dog was introduced at the recent Consumer Electronics Show. “The DOG 6 has real-time GPS tracking, which provides unlimited live updates (via the app) as to your pet’s whereabouts. You’ll receive notifications when your dog exits a safe zone or enters an area you’ve designated as a no-go zone. Their favorite spots and past routes can also be saved in the gadget’s history. What sets the product apart from other GPS trackers is the bark monitor. It alerts you if your dog is barking more than usual while you’re apart, which can indicate behavioral issues like separation anxiety.” More at: https://www.mentalfloss.com/tractive-dog-tracker-monitors-pet-location-barks. 

Flying animals are also benefiting from a small scientific tweak. “McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago is the largest convention center in North America. It’s also largely covered with glass — and for years it’s been the cause of a staggering amount of bird deaths. In October 2023, at least one thousand birds died from colliding into the building on a single day as they migrated south for winter.” It is estimated that In the United States, up to one billion birds die each year from window collisions,

The solution to this problem was the simple polka dot. “In 2024, Feather Friendly added bird-safe film to the exterior of the building— the equivalent of two football fields worth of windows. The polka dot formation on the film disrupts the reflection of the glass, making it easier for birds to detect and avoid. bird collision deaths at McCormick Place dropped by as much as ninety-five percent.” (https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/bird-window-collision-polka-dot-glass)

Scientific research is also trying to help out humans. If you like going to concerts, you may have experienced your heartbeat thumping to the drum cadence. “Concert goers are being wired up with special heart rate monitors as part of a new study into the effects of live music on the human body. The experiment will compare reactions between people watching the performances live and others watching on a stream in a separate room.”

The researchers know something already. “When audience members are immersed or engaged in content their heart rates become synchronized. This means we can use the heart rate as a marker of how engaged audiences are. We want to really highlight what's special about the live experience." (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3910m29vjxo)

Another area of science (sort of) could be called life hacks. These are usually generated by ordinary people trying to solve a problem. A simple product, WD-40, is a prime tool. “This magical product has over two thousand uses and promises to solve your problem in no time.”

On BuzzNet.com, is suggestion for how to open a frozen mailbox. A person in Alaska said: "I called our Post office to ask them how to open my frozen mailbox and they told me to spray some WD-40 on the key and in the keyhole then smack the mailbox a few times with a rubber mallet. I was able to open the box and get my mail.” 

Other hacks include: cleaning the water spout in your bathroom, unsticking Lego bricks, using it as insect repellent around doors and windows, and waterproofing your shoes.” Forty of these at: https://www.buzznet.com/2025/01/useful-tips-wd-40-hacks-25/.

Finally, something perfect to combat this cold weather. “Progresso has come up with a new way for soup lovers to consume chicken noodle soup this cold and flu season. It is is launching Soup Drops, a chicken noodle soup-flavored hard candy drop that resembles a cough drop. The drops taste like broth, savory veggies, soft egg noodles, and a hint of parsley.” 

These are going fast. Your last chance to score some is this Thursday (January 30) at: https://www.progressosoupdrops.com/. There's nothing like some hearty chicken soup to cure the winter blahs. 

Jim Neff is a local columnist. Read Neff Zone columns online at CadillacNews.com and NeffZone.com/cadillacnews.